Holy Sheet opens to a fruity, spicy nose with brandy overtones. The underlying Belgian is very present, with typical banana and clove aromas, but these are amplified by the brandy barrel aging, which brings out a touch more pepper, and adds scads of vanilla, lightly charred wood, and sweet brandy, giving the beer a strong overtone of brandy liqueur poured over banana ice cream. The malts add biscuit and pie crust, as well as touches of yeasty rising whole wheat dough, which combine with the banana to form a banana bread note. Add to this berry, cherry, orange, and fig fruit esters, as well as brown sugar, candi sugar, caramel, and threads of grapefruit from the hops, and the result is a fine aroma, nicely balanced between breads and sugars, and the brandy aging the cherry on top. There is a strong alcoholic overtone here, the brandy aging very apparent, but it does still mix well. One negative note is that the banana aromas come across as slightly overripe, perhaps because of the brandy, but coated in so much brown sugar and vanilla that it almost doesn’t matter.

On the tongue, the beer opens with more brandy than Belgian, the sweet, syrupy notes of the liqueur sliding across the tongue in waves of maple, agave, and corn syrup sweetness, mixed with vanilla and lightly charred wood. The Belgian notes come second, bringing bananas and peppery cloves, the sweetness of the banana mixing nicely with the syrupy brandy, and the peppery cloves blending with the charred wood. Fig, raisin, berry, and cherry fruit esters add further nuance, as do heaps of brown sugar and caramel. The malts also add whole wheat dough, biscuit, and pie crust, helping earth the brew. Hops add a touch of bitter pine and grapefruit in just enough quantity to keep the beer from becoming overly sweet. The brandy notes grow as the beer is held on the tongue, and in the aftertaste can become a bit alcoholic, with vapors climbing up the nose. Some brown sugars and vanilla notes also remain in the aftertaste, as well as a few fruit esters and bready notes, and all of it lingers on the tongue for a long time. Mouthfeel is a viscous medium, and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is a very nice barrel-aged Belgian, the brandy notes blending perfectly with the Belgian notes, and setting a high standard for others to follow. The brandy barrels are inspired here, as too often Belgians are aged in bourbon barrels, which can lend far too harsh of an alcoholic kick. There is perhaps an overabundance of sugar and sweetness as a result, and licking your lips can seem like licking brandy-soaked brown sugar pops, but the beer is nice enough that this isn’t much of a problem.

Holy Sheet is a deep, dark garnet-hued brown that's neither clear nor opaque but isn't thick either. A medium brown head makes an effort and brings up a steady half-finger of foam. Retention isn't bad, and lacing clings in loose spotting that isn't too sparse.The smell is, on first impression, bubble gum. That makes way for clove, a gentle spiciness, and plenty of fruits with some brown sugar and wood. The brandy is evident without giving off too much heat. It's got balance and depth without relying too heavily on alcohol (though it's certainly not weak) or wood, but integrating everything very well.Figs, bread and caramel come out in the flavor as well, mingling with clove and spiciness with wood coming through just in a light dry note amidst the sweetness, taming it well. A beer like this can really get cloying, and this one doesn't.The feel doesn't translate as well in this beer. It's smooth, yes, but really seems to run thin. There's not much crispness to liven it, not that I want more than just a little. It simply seems like the brandy got to the body and brought it down some. For a heavy style, meant to be a meal, the body ought to be there. Still, this is a great beer overall.

Pours a clear amber brown color with a short tight khaki colored head that settled into a light ring. Pretty color.

The aroma is sweet. There is some brown sugar notes as well as raisin. A bit of a musty wine grape. Some general spice.

The beer is quite sweet but not cloying. A pumpernickel malt base with lots of grape fruitiness. A bit of a clove and pepper spice. The brandy barrel aging is subtle but does add that extra grape fruitiness that works quite well with this style. There is a candied raisin or candied plum note. Everything blends quite well together.

The feel is light with fizzy carbonation. Sweet on the palate but its not cloying or sticky. There is an earthy bitterness in the finish. A tad of a belly burn from the abv.

Pretty impressed with this beer. Very nice balance. The flavor doesn't blow me away but they kept in check a beer that could get crazy sweet and boozy.

A - Holy Sheet pours dark mahogany brown in color and comes topped with sudsy ivory foam. The dense cap of bubbles lingers quite a while, draping the glass in lace as it descends.

S - Soft Belgian-inspired yeast dabbles with banana and clay behind the smooth caramel-sweet malt. Wet wood and suggestions of brandy are forthright but to get any complexity, a vigorous swirl is required and opens up nuances of raisin and dried, candied dark fruits but also includes traces of vinegar reminiscent of a sour brown like La Folie.

T - The Belgian inspiration is still in this beer, opening the flavor up as opposed to hiding like in the aroma. Raisin and plum present some of the dark fruit nuances while smooth maltiness follows through. Brandy barrel incorporation in flavor is minimal though, and only suggests hints of the spirit but brings more oak and traces of sour vinegar to the table.

M - Holy Sheet's rich entry mirrors a Belgian dubbel closely and has a good balance, though malt forward. Warming alcohol thins the feel out for a smooth experience that's lovely to drink.

O - The base beer is a classic example of an American-brewed Belgian beer that's clearly American-brewed, though certainly isn't bad. Unfortunately, this beer seems to have spent very little time in the barrel (probably a continuously used barrel at that) as it tastes young. It hasn't been given the chance to really mingle with the Brandy, which is more of an after thought.

O: the dubbel is not a style I often go for, but I have so enjoyed all of Heavy Seas Uncharted Waters release in 2013 and 2014 that I picked this up. these guys are doing some real nice work with barrel-aging, and this was an enjoyable ale. May be hit-or-miss for hardcore dubbel fans, but for the curious, open-minded BA, a nice ale for sure.